Work of Art: The Art of Animation Resort

A couple months back, Disney's Art of Animation Resort was announced.  The resort will feature family suites that will be themed to one of four classic Disney/Pixar movies.  The movies represented will include:  The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and Cars.

The resort will be categorized as a "value" resort.  The addition of value family suites has great appeal and is a welcome addition to Walt Disney World's family of resorts.  And paying tribute to the company's roots by highlighting animation is a move I can also get behind.

However, while I am a fan of all 4 of these movies, they wouldn't necessarily have been the 4 films I would have selected.  My first thought was, while Disney has been in the animated feature film business for over 70 years the movies being used for inspiration only represent the past 21 years.  I get the marketing angle behind this...these are the films that today's families are most familiar with.  But I think most families are (or at least should be) familiar with many of the classics from the earlier part of last century.

So...what would be my criteria for selecting which movies should inspire this new resort?  First off, I agree that the films need to be some of the more popular from the Disney library.  As much as I love Oliver and Company, I don't know that it has left a big enough footprint in Disney's animation history (at least compared with some of the "major" classics) to warrant a starring role at WDW's newest resort.  Plus, from a business standpoint certain films will better support the selling of merchandise.  I wouldn't make a decision solely based on that, but it is a nice "tie-breaker".

Secondly, the setting of the movie needs to be able to provide an immersive experience for guests of the resort.  Granted, you could make the case for pretty much any Disney classic as each build a wonderful world for fantasy and escapism.  But I believe some films' settings lend themselves to an even higher level guest experience.

Finally, and I've mentioned this earlier, I would like the collection of films selected to represent wider range of the company's animation history.  I know this is tough to do with only 4 films....but I think an effort has to be made.

So here we go....the 4 movies that you would see at the Art of Animation Resort if I was WDW CEO....

• Alice In Wonderland - How great would it be to stay in Wonderland on vacation?  Perhaps a recreational area with a croquet course (Queen of Hearts style) and a hedge maze.  A garden of talking flowers would be another area for guests to explore.  And somewhere (maybe coming out of the main check-in building) there has to be a giant door where guest can walk through it's keyhole "mouth".  In certain corners of the resort a disappearing Cheshire Cat should greet and talk to guests as they pass by.  And one of the buildings could maybe be themed to the White Rabbit's house, with Alice's arms and legs coming out the sides.

• Peter Pan - This was the first movie that popped into my head.  I can't think of a better setting for a resort than Neverland.  In fact, you could even make the case that the whole resort could be Peter Pan themed.  A pirate ship...tree houses...Skull Rock....plenty of areas for the family, young and old alike, to explore.  The pool could be themed as Mermaid Lagoon.  Disney Imagineering could even use some sort of LED lighting or some other technology (along with some sound effects) to give the illusion of Tinker Bell flitting around the buildings.  So that as your family is wandering the premises, every now and then you hear and see Tink fly-by.

• The Little Mermaid - Okay...I know Disney already selected this one.  So this may seem like a cop out choice for me.  But I do love the idea of theming one of the areas of the resort as being "Under the Sea".  Finding Nemo (also selected by Disney) could fill that role...however, all things being equal I'll take the strictly Disney title.  Plus, from a historical perspective this film represents the reemergence of the Walt Disney Company as the animation power house.

• Toy Story - It helps that there are 3 movies to draw inspiration from.  The building could be themed as Andy's house, with each guest room themed as some part of his house.  Everything could be scaled to make the guest feel as if they are one of Andy's toys.  Different outdoor areas of this corner of the resort could be themed as Andy's yard...Sid's yard...or the Sunnyside Daycare playground.  If it didn't already exist at Hollywood Studios, I'd even say we could put in Pizza Planet as the food court. 

So there are my selections....what about you?  What films would you like to see at the Art of Animation Resort?

Soarin' In a New Direction

In previous Fantasyland Boardroom briefings we've proposed adding new lands and upgrading attractions that are in desperate need of attention.  Today, however, we're taking on an attraction that is currently one of the most popular in all of Walt Disney World....Soarin...*audible gasp*.  That's right...an attraction that still registers some of the longest wait times on property.  It's a bold move, I know....but it is one I feel pretty passionate about.

It's not that I don't think Soarin' isn't a great attraction as it is.  I just feel it was a bit lazy to take a California Adventure attraction and jam it into The Land at Epcot.  It makes sense in California Adventure.  It will take some serious convincing for you to get me to buy into the fact it belongs in The Land.  Now, I love the technology and concept of the attraction.  But I think that same concept could have been executed in a way that better supported the current theme of The Land...and Epcot in general.

So here's the pitch.  A new "movie" for Soarin'.  But instead of being all about the beauty and recreation of California, it is all about the natural bounty of the United States of America as a whole.  We will be taken on a nationwide tour of the hotbeds of American agriculture.

We'd begin our flight in upper regions of the United States...in the Bering Sea off the coast of Alaska.  Below us we'd see fishing vessels battle the violent seas while its crew hauled in the latest catch.  Think of it as Disney World's version of Deadliest Catch.

Next we'd soar over the vast apple orchards of beautiful central Washington (the state...not the District of Columbia).  We would get a glimpse of the picking crews hard at work.  From there we would head south to the vineyards of California, allowing us to maintain the Napa Valley scene from the current version of the ride....which would both pay homage to the original and be consistent with our theme.

Our journey would gradually take us east.  A fly over of Texas would allow us a view of the Lone Star State's  cattle ranches.  Now...we don't need a documentary style, behind-the-scenes look a slaughter houses or anything.  More of a romanticised, City Slickers overhead shot of real life cowboys tending to their herds.

Our next couple destinations would be over the farming states of the Midwest.  For instance we'd float majestically overhead as the wheat fields of Kansas are being harvested.  We'd soar past the corn fields of Iowa.  We'd zoom by the dairy farms of Wisconsin.

The final leg of our adventure would highlight such contributors of agriculture as the cotton fields of Mississippi, Georgia's peaches, and the orange groves of Florida.  Taking a cue from the original Soarin' our flight would conclude at Walt Disney World....coasting into Epcot at night (perhaps appropriately during the Food and Wine Festival) while Illuminations lights up the sky.  We could even take it a step further and touch down in The Land pavilion...where you will disembark from your whirlwind trip through heart of American agriculture.

One more thing I would like is retain the original score in some capacity.  Whether it is keeping it entirely as is...or incorporating much of it into a new version that hints at some originality, yet is heavily inspired by its predecessor.  In some way, shape, or form, that music needs to be there.

So that's my pitch for a revamped Soarin'.  What's yours?  Would you leave it as is?  Do something different with it?  We'd love to hear your suggestions!!!

Band Aid: The Next Rock N Roller Coaster Group

Let me start off by saying, I'm a big fan of Aerosmith.  I really am.  In fact, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster was the first upside down attraction I had ever attempted at ANY park....EVER.  And that was at the ripe young age of....23 years old.... (yeah...I was a late bloomer).  The idea of having Aerosmith blasting in my ears the whole time was enough of an inspiration to take on this major challenge.

However, the past couple years have tested the bond of the group that is Aerosmith.  At one point Steven Tyler had reportedly left the band, which was soon rumored to be auditioning lead singers.  Then the band got back together and announced a tour.  But now Steven Tyler has replaced Simon Cowell as a judge on American Idol.  So at some point we have to step back and think "at what point do we replace Aerosmith as the featured band of Rock 'N' Roller Coaster?".  Which is then followed by the question:  Who is should that band be?

Picking out a rock group for Rock 'N' Roller Coaster sounds easy enough....but I believe there are some criteria that need to be met.  First...the band has to have reached or be near "legendary" status.  Different people will interrupt that different ways.  But the band in question has to have maintained a consistently high level over multiple decades.  While I'm a huge fan of bands like Rise Against, Disturbed, and Billy Talent...I'll be the first to admit that they aren't quite at "legendary" status (though they would make fantastic soundtracks to a thrill ride!!)  Along the same lines, the band does have to be somewhat mainstream and well known among potential park visitors.

Second...and some may disagree....but our band needs to be a ROCK band.  While I'm sure some would love to see country music represented...and there have been the annoying rumors about Hannah Montana....it's right there in the name...ROCK 'N' Roller Coaster.

Third, the band needs to be somewhat family appropriate.  Granted, by nature rock is about pushing boundaries.  Aerosmith, for example, has a "couple" lyrics that I wouldn't want to have to explain to my kids.  But they have enough "clean" songs to make them acceptable for a Disney Theme Park...I guess.

So, before this post gets longer than an awards show broadcast...here is my short list of potential Rock 'N' Coaster bands:

5)  U2 - I don't think there is any denying the U2's legendary status.  Bono is a household name and even the White House takes meetings with him.  Plus I like the idea of having a certain percentage of profits go to one of Bono's causes (much like Animal Kingdom does).  But, I'm just not sure that some of their biggest songs are adrenaline-pumping enough for one of the biggest thrill rides in WDW.  As much as I love "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" I just don't think it works for our purposes.

4)  Metallica -  I know this selection will give a certain Betamouse Co-Host "hot tears".  But they have to be considered.  They are living rock legends.  Certainly Metallica has the rock power to fuel our thrill ride.  However, I have concerns about having a band who had one of their key members killed in a bus accident serve as the face of an attraction whose ride vehicle is a automobile.  Maybe I'm off base there.

3)  Van Halen - I'm not just throwing this one in for the Len Testa fans out there.  Van Halen can bring it...obviously.  And with a new album expected next year, now would be the time to do it.  But then you open yourself up to the whole David vs. Sammy debate (and Gary? OK...not really)  And we don't need that kind of controversy.

2)  AC/DC - This is actually my personal favorite selection on the list.  Talk about adrenaline-pumping!!!  A bucketful of pounding hits that are practically a thrill ride on their own.  "TNT" blasting while hitting a corkscrew at 60 mph would be unbelievable!!!  Unfortunately I'm not sure a couple of my favorite songs would be able to make the cut.  "Highway To Hell" and "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" might not work in a Disney Park.  Plus, they may not have quite the mainstream appeal as our #1 pick.....

1)  Bon Jovi - I think Bon Jovi  best meets the criteria laid out above.  First rising to popularity back in the '80s, Jon Bon Jovi and his band mates are beginning their 4th decade (seriously?!?!) of stardom.  They are popular among multiple generations (my 4 year old can bust out a pretty mean "Living On a Prayer").  They are mainstream enough to appeal to just about anyone.  Recently they've even gone cross-genre by dabbling in country (those songs will NOT be feature on our attraction, of course).  And the songs have the driving pace necessary for a thrill ride.  Which, I think, makes Bon Jovi the perfect fit for "Rock 'N' Roller Coaster featuring Bon Jovi".

Now....who do YOU think should be the next RnRC band???  Let the debate begin!!!

Backlot Tour Redo

Over the years, the state of the Backlot Tour in Disney’s Hollywood Studio has been one of steady decline.  I recently took another spin on the tour after not having done so in…well...at least a decade.  While it isn’t as bad as I was expecting…it certainly wasn’t great.  Obviously, the experience packed much more punch when “The Studios” was really a working studio.  While it would be great to bring back those days…I’m only the Future WDW CEO…not the Future Walt Disney Company CEO.  So I have no power over the movie biz side of things.

So what can we do to spice up the Backlot Tour?  Well, I’m about ready to drop one suggestion on you.  Now…let me upfront by saying I don’t expect my proposal to suddenly turn this experience into an E-Ticket attraction.  Previous pitches from the Fantasyland Boardroom have been major modifications.  My goal with this proposal, though, is to honor the original intent of Backlot Tour (as well as the Studios, in general)…which was to give you a sense of what goes into movie making.  Well…without further delay…here it is…

Picture if you will (sorry…couldn’t resist) an attraction that takes you through the life cycle of a live-action, feature motion picture.  An attraction that starts at the very beginning with an idea, moves through the writing phase, the preproduction phase, the actual production of the movie, and even the distribution of the film.  What Spaceship Earth is to the history of communication, the Backlot Tour would be for the lifecycle of a film.

I would keep the tram ride as the main ride vehicle.  This vehicle would take you to different “scenes” (again…like Spaceship Earth) that would detail a step in the process.  Some of these scenes would take place indoors…others would take place outdoors.  Each scene would relate back to the process of making a single (fictional) film.  I believe in doing this, the Catastrophe Canyon experience could be saved and built into the reimagining of this attraction.

The tram ride kicks off…the narration gives a little spiel about the magic of making movies…maybe something about how each movie is a story…but the making of a movie is its own story (I know...I’ll NEVER be a writer for Imagineering…please bear with me).  The tram enters a building where we see a series of audio-animatronics scenes showing an idea for “Catastrophe Canyon” being “born” and pitched.  We will see the writers hard at work on the screenplay. 

As we continue through the attraction, we will be casually introduced to many of the roles that go into making a movie.  I frequently watched the credits of a movie and see the plethora of job titles scroll by.  Many of these roles I think I understand what they do…others not as much.  But I want to see these people (or their AA counterparts) in action.  I want a scene with the Casting Director auditioning prospective actors.  I want to see the assistant director working through the logistics of the production.  Heck…I want to see the Best Boy Grip in action and understand what they bring to the table.

As we progress through our movie’s lifecycle, we’d see a scene being played out on a soundstage.  But then, later, contrast that with a big, blockbuster scene with pyro and effects.  That’s where the current Catastrophe Canyon scene comes in.  I believe this scene can remain relatively unchanged.

After the Catastrophe Canyon scene, we will get a glimpse into post-production.  We will watch the film being edited to perfection.  We will witness the sound editing being performed by the sound department.  Maybe we’ll even see the film being previewed by a focus group…and the edits that follow.  The final scenes will show a full movie trailer for our movie and distribution in action.  The attraction will end with guests exiting the tram on the red carpet for the opening night premiere.

One of the other things I’d like to see in this attraction….original music.  I could be wrong, but I really feel like the days of original park attraction music have passed…and that disheartens me.  Heck…some of those older songs have outlived the attraction they were associated with (It’s Fun To Be Free?!?!).  Our movie needs a soundtrack.  A song that can be used as we transition from scene to scene.  A song that can be used in score form throughout the queue.  Maybe have it playing while you’re walking the red carpet out of the attraction!!!

There are other options that we can explore in future posts for this real estate.  But I believe this attraction would be good for The Studios.  It brings the magic of moviemaking back to the Studios…even if it isn’t “real”.  So…if you were going to bring this to the Studios, what would you want to see?  Which you keep Catastrophe Canyon, or introduce a whole new movie?

Replacing Camp Minnie-Mickey

I have to be honest for a moment. I’m a creature of habit. Even though I’m now averaging at least one trip a year to “the World”, I can’t seem to break certain routines. I tend to go to the same attractions every time. There is that inherent fear that if I branch out and spend time on the unknown it may…well…it may suck (doubtful since its Disney…but we all have our irrational fears). And then that will have been time spent away from the things I love to do when I’m at Walt Disney World. Because of this, I only recently experienced for the first time the corner of Animal Kingdom known as Camp Minnie-Mickey.


When I originally had the idea for this post, prior to my first visit to Camp Minnie-Mickey, my plan was to scrap the whole area (with the exception of the Festival of the Lion King, which I had heard great things about). Now that I’ve visited it….ummm….yeah….I’m going to have to stick with Plan A.

Yes…that’s right…I’m demolishing Camp Minnie-Mickey. I’d certainly save the Festival of the Lion King, which I love!!! Maybe that could be moved to Africa. But I have a different vision for this area. One that I flirted with sticking in World Showcase, but quickly convinced myself Animal Kingdom was the better home for it. And that vision is…Australia!!!

2 (out of 7) continents are already represented in WDW’s fourth park. I want to build on that trend and construct the “Land Down Under”. I don’t necessarily have all the details worked out but I do have a high level vision started. Maybe you all can help out by filling in some of the blanks.

With Australia, our Imagineers will be ambitious enough to represent multiple geographic locations and environments from this great continent. The most obvious of these environments will be the inclusion of the Australian Outback. This area will be home to kangaroos, dingos (“the dingo ate my baby”), lizards, snakes, spiders, and camels (apparently Australia’s wild camel population is the biggest in the world…who knew?!!?).

I imagine some sort of vehicle based attraction (maybe a Subaru Outback tie-in??? Just kidding) that will guide guests as they explore these various species. The trick here is to provide an experience that is completely different than, say, Kilimanjaro Safari. I’ll leave those details to you guys…or the Imagineers.

The other key piece of Australia will be in the form of a large water feature that will represent the Coral Sea. It is here you will be able to explore the Great Barrier Reef and its inhabitants. My hope is that the our Great Barrier Reef would be home to dolphins, sea turtles, crocodiles, sea snakes, clownfish (yes…I know there is a certain clownfish that can already be found in Epcot…but I’m talking REAL clownfish), sharks, stingrays, and more.

I imagine an underwater attraction here, with goal of providing a completely different experience than what The Seas with Nemo and Friends currently offers at Epcot. I want this as much as possible to not feel like an aquarium. This may fall in the “if you can dream it, you can do it” category, but I’m picturing something similar to the Mayan Temple Shark Lagoon waterslide that can be found at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas (Google “Atlantis Mayan Temple Lagoon” if you aren’t familiar with what I’m referring). However, instead of riding an inner tube and getting soaked, the vehicle of choice will be more of the Omni mover variety and guests will stay completely dry (aside from whatever sweat the Florida humidity already provided them).

The goal will be for the guest to feel like they are “snorkeling” the Great Barrier Reef among many of the species that call it home. The less they feel like there is something separating them from the inhabitants, the better. Every direction the guests look, whether it be side-to-side, front and back, up or down, they will see nothing but water and sea life. Even cooler yet, guests will be able to “spin” their vehicle (think a slower Mad Tea Party and without the motion sickness) for a 360 degree view.

One final “sub-area” of will be, perhaps, a walk-through exhibit of the “other” native species of Australia…meaning those that don’t fit in either the Outback or the Great Barrier Reef. You simply can’t build an Australia in Animal Kingdom without it being home to at least a couple Koalas and a Tasmanian Devil or two (we don’t need permission from Warner Bros. for that, do we?).

One more item on my wish list… I’d really like to see a replica of the famed Sydney Opera House. This could perhaps go on the shores of our water feature (yes…I realize Sydney is 1000+ miles away from the Great Barrier Reef…but that’s why we pay the Imagineers the big bucks…to make it work). I have two thoughts on what this building could potentially be used for. It could either be a nice table service restaurant (“Shrimp On the Barbie”?). Or it could be the new home to Finding Nemo the Musical, seeing as the seas of Australia serve as the backdrop for that movie.

Well…there’s my plan. Now , more importantly… what do you think? Love it? Hate it? Have an even better idea? Please share and let’s see what we can dream up together!!!